Pinellas: Cold night shelters open Saturday and Sunday nights

Cold night shelters in Pinellas County will be open Saturday night, Jan. 31, and Sunday night, Feb. 1, the Homeless Leadership Alliance has announced. The shelters will be open from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Shelter guests are accepted until the shelter is full. All sites provide a warm and safe place to sleep, and many sites also serve a meal. Shelters are activated when the National Weather Service expects the “feels like” temperature to hit 40 degrees or below across the county between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) will provide free bus rides to and from Cold Night Shelters both evenings from 5 p.m. through 7 a.m. the next day. Riders must tell PSTA drivers they are going to a Pinellas Cold Night Shelter when boarding to ride fare-free.

The following cold weather shelters are available to adult men and women:

Tarpon Springs

• St. Timothy Luthern Church
• • 812 E. Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs
  • PSTA Route #19

Clearwater

• First United Methodist Church of Clearwater
• • 411 Turner Street, Clearwater
  • Allows leashed/contained pets
  • PSTA Route #52A

Pinellas Park

• Boys & Girls Club of Pinellas Park
• • 7790 61^st St. N, Pinellas Park
  • PSTA Route #74

• First United Methodist Church of Pinellas Park
• • 9025 49^th St. N, Pinellas Park
  • Allows leashed/contained pets
  • PSTA Route #49

St. Petersburg

• Unitarian Universalist Church
• • 100 Mirror Lake Drive N, St. Petersburg
  • Requires the use of stairs
  • PSTA Routes #9, #20, #24, SunRunner
• Salvation Army
• • 1400 4^th Street South, St. Petersburg
  • Requires valid ID for entry
  • PSTA Route #4A or B

• Allendale Church
• • 3803 Haines Rd. N, St. Petersburg
  • PSTA Route #16, #38

• Northwest Church
• • 6330 54th Ave. N, St. Petersburg
  • Allows leashed/contained pets
  • PSTA Route #54, #66

Families with children will be placed in family shelters on cold nights (if space is available). Families should call 2-1-1, First Contact, for information about family shelters.

The Homeless Leadership Alliance is in need of volunteers for this and future activations. Those interested in volunteering should visit pinellashomeless.org/become-a-volunteer to learn more.

Stacy O’Donnell

Executive Aide to Chairman Dave Eggers

Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners

315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756

sodonnell@pinellas.gov

Office (727) 464-3276

All government correspondence is subject to public record law.

Water Shortage Order issued for Pinellas County

One-day-per-week watering restrictions go into effect Feb. 8

• Southwest Florida Water Management District has declared a Phase II Water Shortage Order for several counties, including Pinellas
• Order goes into effect on Feb. 8, 2026, and will remain in effect through July 1, 2026
• One-day-per-week watering restrictions issued countywide
• Customers should reduce unnecessary water use to conserve resource

Due to below average rainfall and declining water supply throughout the region, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) has issued a Phase II Water Shortage Order that includes Pinellas County and other surrounding counties under their jurisdiction. The order goes into effect on Feb. 8, 2026.  

Pinellas County Utilities will move to one-day-per-week watering for all customers. Customers should monitor Pinellas County Utilities’ water restrictions webpage at pinellas.gov/watering-schedule-and-rules for up-to-date information, as restrictions can change at any time. The current authorized irrigation schedule using reclaimed, potable, well, lake or pond sources for Utilities customers is as follows: 

Customers north of SR580

• Addresses ending in even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, 8): Saturdays
• Addresses ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9): Wednesdays
• Mixed or No Address (such as common areas, entry areas/office complexes, shopping centers and other “no address” locations): Wednesdays
• Watering using reclaimed water is not permitted between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Watering using potable water is not permitted between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Customers south of SR580

• Addresses ending in even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, 8): Tuesdays
• Addresses ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9): Thursdays
• Mixed or No Address (such as common areas, entry areas/office complexes, shopping centers and other “no address” locations): Thursdays
• Watering using either potable or reclaimed water is not permitted between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Residents who do not receive their water from Pinellas County Utilities should verify their watering days and restrictions with their water supplier.

For water conservation tips, Florida-Friendly Landscaping guidance and more, visit pinellas.gov/water-conservation.

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Communications Department
333 Chestnut Street, Clearwater, Florida 33756
(727) 464-4600 • www.pinellas.gov

Our Vision: To Be the Standard for Public Service in America.

Stacy O’Donnell

Executive Aide to Chairman Dave Eggers

Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners

315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756

sodonnell@pinellas.gov

Office (727) 464-3276

All government correspondence is subject to public record law.

·          Proper permits ensure that repair improvements are safe and performed to code.

·          They protect homeowners from future issues, including FEMA compliance and ineligibility for recovery funds.

·          Permits are needed for any storm-related repairs to structures located in floodplains affected by last year’s hurricanes.

Pinellas County is waiving penalty fees for after-the-fact building permits through Dec. 31, 2025, to help residents in unincorporated areas bring storm-damaged properties into permitting compliance and support long-term recovery. Homeowners who live in municipalities should check with their city about fees.

Building permits – or after-the-fact permits if work was completed without one – are required for all repairs to all structures, including manufactured homes, located in floodplains affected by last year’s storms. Securing proper permits helps protect homeowners from future issues such as FEMA audits, reduced property values, complications during property sales and ineligibility for recovery funds.

Typically, permit fees are doubled when work begins or is completed without prior approval. By County Commission resolution, residents can now obtain after-the-fact permits for the standard fee, which funds inspections and other safety services.

Permits ensure that repairs meet the Florida Building Code and County floodplain regulations, keeping homes safe and preserving eligibility for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Failure to obtain proper permits could jeopardize both individual flood insurance coverage and the countywide insurance discount Pinellas residents receive through FEMA’s Community Rating System.

Obtaining permits also positions homeowners to qualify for upcoming Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) programs. Pinellas County will begin opening applications in October for home repair reimbursements and full rehabilitation projects supported by our $813 million federal disaster recovery allocation. More information about financial resources is available at recover.pinellas.gov.

Residents should apply for permits for any storm-related repairs already completed or still underway, including work on drywall, windows, doors, electrical, plumbing and mechanical components and/or systems. Additional documentation may be required for properties in flood-prone areas. Applications, required forms and status tracking are available through the County’s online permitting portal. Staff are available to guide residents through the process and ensure all documentation is complete.

To apply, visit pinellas.gov/after-the-fact-permitting. For in-person help, visit the Building and Development Review Services office at 440 Court Street, Clearwater, or call (727) 464-3888 (Option 5).

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Communications Department
333 Chestnut Street, Clearwater, Florida 33756
(727) 464-4600 • www.pinellas.gov

West Nile Virus detected in north Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco

Pinellas County Mosquito Control has seen increased transmission of mosquito-borne West Nile Virus through its sentinel chicken illness detection program and is urging residents to protect themselves and their loved ones from mosquitoes and prevent mosquito breeding.

Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County (DOH-Pinellas) has issued a Mosquito-Borne Illness Advisory due to the increased activity. West Nile Virus has been detected in sentinel chicken flocks throughout the state, including in Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties. In Pinellas County, positive tests have come from Oldsmar and east Tarpon Springs, initiating enhanced mosquito treatments such as additional truck fogging, aerial larviciding, and ground inspection for additional breeding locations.

Pinellas County Mosquito Control additionally works closely with the Florida Department of Health to monitor cases of mosquito-borne illness activity in our county and respond with mosquito treatment to reduce the risk of the illness spreading. If you believe you have a mosquito-borne illness, please immediately call DOH-Pinellas at (727) 824-6932.

“Our staff are working long hours across the county to apply preventative treatments for mosquitoes,” said Alissa Berro, section manager for Pinellas County Mosquito Control and Vegetation Management. “We’re forecast to get a lot of rain this weekend, so it’ll be important for residents to dump standing water after it accumulates – that’ll take away mosquito breeding grounds.”

The best way for residents to prevent mosquito bites is to follow the 3 Ds:

• Dress light-colored, long-sleeved clothing with closed-toed shoes.
• Defend using an insect repellent with a CDC-recommended ingredient such as DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
• Dump or cover standing water, which can include debris from recent storm events holding water.

Residents are encouraged to use screens on open windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering their home.

Visit https://pinellas.gov/mosquito-control/ for additional resources, including a public treatment map that displays recent and upcoming treatments to an area.

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Communications Department
333 Chestnut Street, Clearwater, Florida 33756
(727) 464-4600 • www.pinellas.gov

Our Vision: To Be the Standard for Public Service in America.

Stacy O’Donnell

Executive Aide, Commissioner Dave Eggers

Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners

315 Court Street, Clearwater, FL 33756

sodonnell@pinellas.gov

Office (727) 464-3276

All government correspondence is subject to public record law.

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Communications Department
333 Chestnut Street, Clearwater, Florida 33756
(727) 464-4600 • www.pinellas.gov

Most Pinellas County Government offices under the County Administrator will be closed Thursday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. Offices of the Property Appraiser and Tax Collector will also be closed.

Offices of the Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller and Supervisor of Elections will be open during their normal hours. The courts of the Sixth Judicial Circuit (Pinellas and Pasco) will conduct their regular schedules.

Parks & Conservation Resources

The administration office, Heritage Village, Brooker Creek Environmental Education Center and Weedon Island Cultural and Natural History Center will be closed.

Animal Services shelter

The offices and adoption center at Pinellas County Animal Services will be closed.

Building Services

Pinellas County Building Services office locations will be closed, and inspections will not take place.

Contractor Licensing

Pinellas County Contractor Licensing office and the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board will be closed.

Human Services

Pinellas County Human Services office locations will be closed.

Solid Waste Disposal Complex

The Disposal Complex/Scalehouse will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Administration Building, Household Hazardous Waste Center and Swap Shop will be closed. 

Utilities

The Business and Customer Services Call Center and the lobby at 14 S. Fort Harrison will be closed. Customers can make payments online and can reach the answering service at (727) 464-4000 for emergencies.

Normal County operating hours will resume on Friday, Jun 20.

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Communications Department
333 Chestnut Street, Clearwater, Florida 33756
(727) 464-4600 • www.pinellas.gov